Vintage Monday: Russell Wright Modern Dinnerware

We've already addressed my china obsession  right?  Well let's add Russell Wright to the list now.  I've always admired the colors and lines of his Modern dinnerware and finally managed to find two great pieces on sale this weekend.  We spent Saturday afternoon at the Antique Gallery of Round Rock and I had a lovely time wandering through the individual booths and picking out treasures.   I picked up a few (newer edition) Fiesta berry bowls and gravy pitcher in turquoise and some really great jewelry as well (pictures to come soon).  Many of the booths had fabulous Memorial Day sale prices and I chanced upon this Russell Wright chop plate and serving bowl in a pale grey.  The lines and curves are beautiful and I can't wait to add more to the collection.  I especially love the pitchers!  (note to self: time to buy a credenza for more storage)

A little bit more about Russell Wright from the Metropolitan Museum of Art website:

American Modern dinnerware, 1937
Russel Wright (American, 1904–1976)
Glazed earthenware

The biomorphic forms and softly vibrant color palette of Wright's American Modern service, made of sturdy and inexpensive earthenware, made it one of the most popular ceramic services ever created. The highly sculptural forms of some the pieces in this service, including the teardrop-shaped pitcher with elongated spout, were unlike any other products on the market...

As the best-selling ceramic service ever, Wright's dinnerware proved to be an especially successful example of the Good Design movement, which sought to make well-designed, modern goods available to consumers at every price point.

Source: Russel Wright: American Modern dinnerware (2002.585.17a-j) | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Road trip: Fredericksburg, Texas

Headed to Fredericksburg for the day with friends for some German food, shopping, and fresh peaches!

(images by designsponge and I've got a list of stores from their handy cityguide that I'll be checking out!)

Favorite Friday Recipe: Cucumber sandwiches

Summer is officially upon us here in Texas and that always puts me in the mood for lighter fare such as sandwiches and salads for meals.  These open face cucumber sandwiches are perfect for a late afternoon tea or snack and are super easy to assemble.

First, slice your cucumbers thinly.  I love using mini cucumbers because they are seedless and sweet.  (you can get a big bag of them at Costco for a great price)

Then lay out the slices on a paper towel to absorb any excess water

If you have any leftover stumps, you can feed them to anyone lurking around...

Wash your hands if you participated in the above step.  Then begin to cut out pieces of bread.  Note: you can just make the sandwiches and cut them into squares, triangles, whatever you want.  I felt like circles that day so I went with that.  Also, you can use any type of soft bread of your choosing (like wheat, rye, etc.), I went with thin white because that felt more classic tea time to me.

Once your bread is cut into shapes, spread seasoned cream cheese on the surface.  Some recipes call for mixing cream cheese and a dry Italian dressing packet.  It would save you a step to just go with a pre flavored garden vegetable cream cheese or another flavor of your choice.  I chose a garlic and chive flavored cream cheese.

Next, top with your cucumber slice (this was a prototype with two, after taste tests, I went with one slice as it was easier to eat!)

And sprinkle with a bit of dill to finish (this little seasoning truly makes the flavors come together and it looks fancy and pretty with minimal effort)

Another great thing about this appetizer is that you can stack the sandwiches and they're perfect for bringing to a party! (if you don't eat half of them before it's time to leave)

Enjoy!

Say hello to my little friend...

Pete the Porcupine ring by Noir

Wishlist Wednesday: Etsy goodies part 4

Yet another installment of my recent favorites from Etsy.  This time, I'm featuring collections of items.  Some items may look random on their own, but when there is a grouping of them, somehow it makes a stunning visual impact.  If 1 is good, just think how much better 3 or 4 would be!  This rule does not apply to squirrels.

Example: One bunny from ArtMind = cute

Many bunnies = even better

A collection of bottles from Twoartdirectors:

Bell jar with mini eggs also from Twoartdirectors:

Laser cut wood doilies from Uncommon:

Mini creamers from PigeonToeCeramics:

And finally a hilarious collection of cards from NavyBlueNotes:

DIY: Vegetable garden late May update

Several happenings in the garden while I was gone last week.  Mainly good and exciting things though my poor squash did get nabbed by a critter.  Here are the April and beginning of May updates for comparison.  It's exciting to see all the new growth and vegetables starting to take form!

By the way, the cucumber plant has tripled in size in the past week!  It went from being in one square to now nearly covering six squares!  I think the poor holey swiss chard is not going to make it in this vegetable death match.

Tiny cucumbers starting to grow

The squash is making a comeback!

Tomatoes are getting bigger (we're going to have to build a trellis soon)

A jalapeno pepper! (B is very excited about this little guy)

And I thought they were a lost cause but the green beans rallied and are looking great!

Side note: Does anyone have any recommendations for a natural bug pesticide? 

Vintage Monday: The Other Side at Railroad Square

Another one of my favorite Tallahassee shops is The Other Side located at Railroad Square.  They've recently moved into a larger building that used to be a gymnasium and it's chock full of collectibles.  I managed to find the sweet little doe powder jar above hidden in a little corner. (print by enormouschampion)

Another favorite stop at Railroad Square is the Star Seas Cafe fashioned from an old train caboose.  They didn't have my favorite almond butter, nutella and banana sandwich there this time (sadness) but I did manage to drown my sorrows in some homemade hummus with pita bread and cucumbers and a great berry granola yogurt.  It's important to go treasure hunting on a full stomach!

I was able to get out into the garden this evening and take some updated vegetable garden pictures--will put them up tomorrow!

Back at work...

but wishing I was home looking out the window with this little guy

Looks like someone had lunch...

Home at last to my pups and B.  Was excited to see the vegetable garden's growth (more to come later) but super sad to see that some critter made off with my squash!

Missing my boys

It's my last night here in FL.  I've had a great time and now I can't wait to go home to my boys!

Wishlist Wednesday: Credenzas (preferably MCM)

The next piece of furniture I've got an eye out for is a credenza for our dining room.  It can be used as a buffet when we're entertaining and when we're not, the additional surface space can house my ceramic owl collection.  It'll also be handy to stow away the extra china and kitchenware I seem to be collecting at a fast pace!

Here are some of my favorites, mostly from the MCM (Mid Century Modern) era:

Vintage Monday: Treasure hunting

So you've seen most of my treasures on Vintage Mondays.  Today, I thought I'd show you where the treasures usually come from.  I do a lot of online shopping through ebay and etsy, but what I love best is to be able to view and touch things in person.  Bonus points if you have to dig for it.

There are vintage/antique stores that are carefully edited, and then there are stores that believe in cramming in items onto every available surface.  These stores tend to have the best deals and it's fun to root around and see what you can come up with after all the dust has settled.

Vintage shopping/thrifting is not for the faint of heart.  I present you exhibit A:

Just think about walking into this room.  Is this your worst nightmare?  Or do you feel lightheaded with all the possibilties?

Let's say you decide to take a step forward and examine the room a little closer.  Do you say to yourself: "Why on earth is there a neon palm tree in here?"  Or do you think "Hey, that would be perfect for the patio!" (don't worry honey I didn't get it)

These pictures are from Good Finds, a really fun place to dig and browse here in Tallahassee.  And just when you're about crossed eyed from all the goodness in the store, you go outside and up some rickety stairs at your own peril...

To find another floor of treasures waiting to be unearthed 

Sometimes you come out empty handed.  And sometimes you come out lucky...

But most of all, if you are willing to look high and low, you'll always find something that'll give you a good laugh!